Ateneo - UPO

The course provides the basic concepts of general and inorganic
chemistry: properties, composition and structure of the matter, chemical
equilibrium, main concepts of thermodynamics and electrochemistry.

Slides (pdf format) are available on the DIR platform. Suggested texts: Kotz, Treichel, Townsend, Treichel, Chimica, Edises, VII Ed., 2021 R.H. Petrucci, F.G. Herring, J.D. Madura, C. Bissonnette, General Chemistry Brown, Lemay, Bursten, Murphy, Woodward, Stoltzfus, Fondamenti di Chimica. Edises, IV Ed., 2018 Atkins, Jones, Laverman, Principi di Chimica, Zanichelli, 2018 Silberberg, Amateis, Licoccia, CHIMICA, Quarta Edizione, Mc Graw Hill, 2019.

Provide a solid foundation for understanding chemical events at the molecular level and relating them to the macroscopic world.
Skills: Introduce students to the use of the structure–property concept and to the molecular interpretation of chemical phenomena.
Promote the development of critical thinking that enables students to draw conclusions on issues related to the topics covered.
Communication skills: Students will be guided in the use of appropriate scientific vocabulary and in developing the ability to present the topics covered in the course clearly and effectively.

No particular prerequisites are expected, save for the basic competences
required by the TCI test, with particular reference to basic mathematics.

Classroom lectures, slide shows and guided exercises with open
discussion. Students will be encouraged to supplement in-class work with
individual homework for a successful fruition of the course.

Students will be encouraged to actively participate to classes and guided
through individual or collaborative problem-solving activity in order to
stimulate preparation progresses and regularly test them. This approach
will also favor the development of the expected specific communication skills.
Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special
Education Needs can request specific services and tools via the Staff
Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse e agli
Studenti, consulting the University webpage:
https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services-students-physical-or-learning-disabilities

Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education
needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the
tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities,
concerning academic aspects.

The exam consists of a written test with a maximum duration of 3 hours and includes 6–9 questions requiring open-ended answers, semi-open answers, or numerical (stoichiometry) / graphical (molecular structure) problem solving. Each question is assigned a variable score (1–5 points) depending on its complexity. The maximum total score is 30 points. Honors may be awarded if the answers go beyond the requirements or are of distinguished quality.

In particular, students are encouraged—especially in open-ended answers—to connect the chemical phenomenon addressed in the question with environmental issues discussed during the course or proposed by the student themselves. Relevant content that exceeds what is strictly required by the questions is rewarded with “bonus” points in increments of 0.25, which contribute to improving the grade and possibly achieving honors.

The exam is passed with a minimum score of 18/30. With a score of at least 15/30, students may request, within two days of the publication of the results, to take an additional oral exam, which may be worth up to 3 extra points to be added to the written test grade.

To obtain a passing grade, students must demonstrate a basic understanding of the key topics of the course, with particular reference to chemical bonding, molecular geometry, intermolecular forces, chemical equilibrium, and acids and bases. They must also demonstrate knowledge of the main elements and the most common simple chemical compounds, their natural distribution, and their main properties.

The evaluation of the test and the assignment of the score will primarily be based on the students’ ability to understand the question, identify the unknown variables of the problem, provide a logical, rigorous, and relevant response (for open and semi-open questions), or to develop a rational and well-justified solving strategy (for numerical/graphical questions), as well as to use chemical language and symbols appropriately and precisely. The entire course program may be subject to examination.

The matter: homogeneous and inhomogeneous mixtures. Elements,
compounds and chemical formulas. Nomenclature of chemical
compounds. The laws of chemistry. The mole and the Avogadro number.
The structure of the atom: subatomic particles, isotopes, radioactivity.
The atomic theory. The periodic system and the periodic properties of the
elements. Basic concepts of chemical bonding: Lewis theory and
molecular geometry according to the VSEPR model. Covalent, ionic and
metallic bonds.
Intermolecular forces. Aggregation states and their properties. Ionic,
metal and molecular solids. Gases and their properties. Solutions and
their properties: solubility, vapor tension osmotic pressure. Chemical
reactions and chemical equations. Fundamentals of thermochemistry:
entalpy, entropy, free energy. The chemical equilibrium: the equilibrium
constant, the Le Chatelier Principle and its application. Acids and bases:
Arrhenius, Lewis and Brønsted-Lowry theories. Acid base equilibria and
buffer solutions. Heterogeneous equilibria. Electrochemistry : oxidation
states and redox reactions. Standard potentials and electrochemical
series. The Daniell cell.
Environmental chemistry notions: main simple chemical pollutants, acid rains, metals toxicity

Knowledge and competences: achieving a solid solid background on the
fundamental concepts of chemistry (chemical quantity, reactions, states
of matter, chemical bonds, molecular structure, equilibrium, acids and
bases, thermochemistry, electrochemistry). Capability to apply the
acquired knowledge for the resolution of chemical problems. Ability to
understand and interpret chemical and physico-chemical transformations
at the macroscopic and microscopic level. Ability to recognize the main
classes of inorganic compounds and name them. Master a critical
approach in the design and resolution of chemical problems and
experiments. Communication skills: the student is expected to acquire
and properly use a suitable scientific vocabulary and be able to report on
a chemical problem/experiment in a clear and concise manner.